She did it with a broken heart.
After making history at the 2024 Grammy Awards by winning Album of the Year for a fourth time, Taylor Swift now has 30 VMA wins with Video of the Year for “Fortnight” featuring Post Malone — making her the most decorated musician for the show ever.
Swift, 34, has now tied with Beyoncé for VMA wins. She used the monumental moment to give a loving shout-out to her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce, and to urge fans to vote in the upcoming presidential election after endorsing Kamala Harris.
Of “Fortnight,” Swift said during her acceptance speech, “It was a fun video to make. And something I’ll always remember when I would finish a take and I would say cut and we would be done with that take I would always just hear someone like cheering like ‘Woo!’ from across the studio where we were shooting it.
“And that one person was my boyfriend … Travis. Everything that man touches turns to happiness and fun,” she said. “So, I want to thank him for adding that to our shoot. Because I’ll always remember that.”
Of course, Swift thanked her fans and MTV while mentioning the Eras tour; however, she ended her speech with possibly the most powerful statement of the night.
“And if you are over 18 please register to vote for something else that’s very important coming up — the presidential election,” she stated.
On Tuesday evening, Swift finally released her endorsement in the 2024 presidential election, following Donald Trump and Harris’ debate. She also touched on the dangers of artificial intelligence after fake images showed her endorsing Trump.
While announcing she watched the debate and urging others to do their own research, Swift wrote: “Recently I was made aware that AI of ‘me’ falsely endorsing Donald Trump’s presidential run was posted to his site. It really conjured up my fears around AI, and the dangers of spreading misinformation. It brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter.”
Revealing she’d be casting her vote for Harris and Tim Walz, she listed her reasons for the decision.
“I’m voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them. I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos. I was so heartened and impressed by her selection of running mate @timwalz, who has been standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman’s right to her own body for decades,” she shared.
This VMA win wasn’t the only one Swift scored at the show.
She also won Artist of the Year, Best Collaboration for “Fortnight” featuring Post Malone, Best Pop, Best Direction, Best Editing and Song of the Summer — and had several applause-worthy outfit changes.
Kelce has previously gushed about her VMAs recognition during the latest “New Heights With Jason and Travis Kelce” podcast episode.
“Hopefully Taylor can walk away with a few, she’s nominated for about 10 of those things tonight. Hopefully she can walk away with some moon men. Those are always one of the cooler trophies. The space guys,” he said.
Describing the award items to his brother, Jason, 36, Travis, 34, added: “It’s the big silver moon guy with the American flag I think.”
“Yes, we landed on the moon!” Jason replied. “It’s the MTV flag but that’s a really cool award. Let’s go Tay, come on Tay!”
“Stay on top,” Travis added. “Wishing everybody the best though.”
Last year, Swift had the most nominations for the awards ceremony. Leading the pack with eight nods, Swift was nominated for Video of the Year, Best Editing and Best Cinematography.
Swift made her VMA debut in 2008 when she was nominated for Best New Artist.
Though she lost to Tokio Hotel, she went on to win Best Female Video in 2009 for “You Belong With Me,” Best Video of the Year for “Bad Blood” in 2015 and Best Song of the Year for “Antihero” in 2023.
In 2009, Swift’s win was marred when Kanye Swift interrupted her acceptance speech.
“Yo, Taylor, I’m really happy for you, I’mma let you finish, but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time!” he said during the infamous moment. After the interruption, Swift performed “You Belong With Me” in front of Radio City Music Hall.
Later during the awards show, Beyoncé asked Swift to make her speech when the “Texas Hold ‘Em” singer won Video of the Year for “Single Ladies.”
“I’d like to give Taylor her moment,” Beyoncé told the crowd at the time.
Though she didn’t perform at Sunday’s show, Swift has rocked the VMAs stage in the past.
Since her debut VMA performance of “You Belong with Me” in 2009, Swift performed a mash-up of “The Night Is Still Young” and “Bad Blood” with rapper Nicki Minaj in 2015.
Swift also performed “Shake It Off” in 2014.
When her backup dancers tried to have her jump off a second-story platform, Swift said, “I don’t care if it’s the VMAs, I’m not jumping off there,” according to USA Today. “People are getting bit by snakes; it’s dangerous.”
In 2017, Swift also premiered her music video “Look What You Made Me Do,” which was filled with easter eggs. In 2022, she celebrated 13 years since her first win by announcing the release of her 10th studio album, “Midnights.”
